Author: Belinda Botzong

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My Refind Life

My Refind life
Makes me stop at remote beaches
To pick up lost things crusted with rust
Interesting rocks and sticks
Seaglass is a treasured find
Elevates my heart rate
My Refind life
Causes me to skip the nice antique stores and gift shops
Instead spending hours looking through bins of things long forgotten in old junk stores
I dig through piles of wood and rusty chains and unknown items
To spark my imagination
Stimulate my creativity
Inspire my next project
Then I binge on an Amazon sale on all things Mod Podge
And dream of gluing and coating and sealing and texturizing whatever it is that pours out of my mind onto paper or canvas.. or cork or glass.. or …
A Refind life
©Belindabotzong2018

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Spring Petals

Inspired by the translucent petals
How can so much beauty come from such small things?
Revealing the fingerprint of their creator in the fine lines and ever-present patterns
Richness and fragility
Texture and tenderness
Subtle and brilliant hues of intricate beauty
Timeless yet fleeting
Random yet designed with finest detail
Audacity, frenzy, a riot of colors
Spring Petals abound

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Heartstrings – Heart of Gold

Heartstrings - Heart of Gold - BothThis mixed media project is a set of two 24″x36″ canvases with a collage of sheet music, gold paper, copper, and photos of a book cover, “Home Sweet Home”
The guitar strings and equipment represent the musical staff – copper notes and clefs were a contribution from an artist on Guemes Island, Darlene Klister at Firelight Design studios.  A fret board provides contrast and continues the theme of guitar parts, or any stringed instrument.
Crushed golden glass and a covering of gold gauze material provide texture and muted tones.  I always finish with a hammered copper heart for these Heartstrings projects.
Music pulls at the heartstrings of many people.  It creates memories and brings back memories.  It is an essential part of the human experience, especially for those who struggle with mental illness, sorrow, or loss.  It expands the experience of joyous occasions and comforts during stressful situations.  It is a language all its own, with signs and symbols that communicate rhythm, melody, harmony, notes and chords that speaks to the soul, spirit, mind and body.

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Glue

I have had more trouble with glue than any other challenge in doing mixed media art! Oh my goodness this one scared me. After trying silicone based glue that was too squishy and hot glue that doesn’t bond metal to glass, I just tried superglue! Near tragedy. My right thumb got glued to a c-clamp! Freaked me out but I got it off very very slowly without ripping my thumb skin. I continued on and next thing I know the glue tube is hermetically sealed to my other thumb! While trying to work that off my opposite thumbnail got stuck to the first thumb and while my husband is frantically bathing my hands in the only thing he could find– all natural nail polish remover– my finger gets stuck to my thumbs! Now I’m really in a panic and he goes for scissors!! No!! Don’t cut my skin! I’m going to lose all my fingerprints and walk around glued to a tube and to myself! After much precision and most of the nail polish remover– delightfully flavored with avacado oil!– I got my finger freed. I twisted and pulled and finally let my thumb go but the tube was still tightly bound to my right thumb and the paint on the tube was now dissolving! Finally after many frantic minutes my crusted fingers and hands were free! Oh the price I pay for creativity! Moral of the story –use gloves! And buy gel superglue next time!!

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New Space for Refind

Whatcom Art Market is where you’ll find Refind Creations new space! So excited!!

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Heartstrings in process

Latest heartstrings project is nearing completion. Inspired by guitars and sheet music the strings of the instrument represent the musical staff. I will complete it by adding a commissioned set of copper wire notes along with a bass clef and treble clef. It’s been a long process and I’m excited to present it to the Whatcom Art Guild next month for consideration for display and sale. Each canvas is 24×36. Can’t wait to do more!

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Whatcom Art Market

Announcing an exciting venture for Refind Creations! Starting May 16 we will be selling our creations– candles, home decor, and art projects at the Whatcom Art Market! As members of the Whatcom Art Guild we will be focused on providing beautiful pieces to compliment your home. Hand poured soy candles in antique vessels will be our first featured item. Hope you can come out and support local artisans here in Bellingham!